FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNFI and Climate Collaborative Partner to Launch Regenerative Transition Community of Practice
Bellingham, WA – October 21, 2024 – The Climate Collaborative, in partnership with the UNFI Foundation, is excited to announce the launch of the second cohort of its Regenerative Transition Community of Practice (CoP) in November 2024. The CoP brings together leaders from across the grocery industry—CPGs, retailers, food service providers, distributors, suppliers and funders—to increase their capacity to navigate the complexity of regenerative supply chain transition.
The inaugural cohort, launched in November 2023, featured 14 leaders from companies at the forefront of the industry, including NSI, Aurora Organic Dairy, Califia, Clif, Sweetgreen, Wildway, Rumiano Cheese, and UNFI. The program provided an immersive learning experience, helping participants navigate the complexities of organic and regenerative transition with expert facilitation, peer collaboration, and leadership capacity building.
Cohort participants benefited from access to thought leaders like Elizabeth Candelario (MadAg), Tina Owens (Nutrient Density Alliance), Sherry Frey (NIQ), Jesse Smith (White Buffalo Land Trust), Julia Collins (Planet FWD) and Robyn O’Brien (Montcalm). "We are committed to deeply listening to the real-world challenges the CoP leaders are facing and then leveraging the Climate Collaborative's network to bring in the most relevant thought leaders to share their stories and to add their perspectives to the participants' most pressing questions." says Jeff Bos, co-facilitator of the Community of Practice.
The unique structure of the CoP, including case clinics and collaborative sessions, empowers participants to move from individual challenges to collective solutions. In reflecting on her experience in the first cohort, Philippa Lockwood of Clif Bar notes, “It’s a safe space to bring your biggest challenges to scaling regenerative (or organic) agriculture, knowing that you have a crack team of like-minded professionals to help you find a path forward.”
“The power of cross-sector collaboration cannot be overstated,” shares Courtney Pineau, Executive Director at the Climate Collaborative. “By bringing together key stakeholders from every part of the supply chain, we create a space for shared learning, problem-solving, and innovation. This is how we can accelerate the regenerative transition—not as isolated companies, but as a food community working toward a common goal.”
The Regenerative Transition Community of Practice is open to leaders from companies of all sizes across the food system who are looking to accelerate their regenerative agriculture work. To learn more or register for the second cohort, visit the Climate Collaborative website. For more information, contact Courtney Pineau, Climate Collaborative, Executive Director at [email protected].
A Special Thanks to the UNFI Foundation
This year’s cohort is made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of the UNFI Foundation, whose continued commitment to fostering organic and regenerative agriculture has been instrumental in the development of this program. This year, the UNFI Foundation announced $1.5 million in grants to 61 organizations focused on creating a more sustainable and equitable food system. Learn more about the UNFI Foundation here.
About the Climate Collaborative
The Climate Collaborative believes that collaboration is essential to activating climate action at scale. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization works with companies across the grocery industry to accelerate climate action by providing resources, events, and collaborations. Since its founding in 2017, the Climate Collaborative has worked with thousands of companies, including brands, distributors, suppliers, and retailers, to drive meaningful and just climate action and advocacy throughout the food system. Learn more at climatecollaborative.com.